A guide to some of the best pantomimes and festive shows in and around the county

29th November - 31st DecemberDick Whittington
Sam Rabone and Ben Thornton are back at the Lichfield Garrick for one of the most traditional Pantomimes around joined by CBeebies star, Katrina Bryan!.
Lichfield Garrick, Castle Dyke WS13 6HR, 01543 412121 www.lichfieldgarrick.com
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30th November - 19th JanuaryRobin Hood and the Babes in the Wood
From Sherwood Forest to Nottingham Playhouse, Robin Hood and the evil Sheriff of Nottingham this production written and directed by Kenneth Alan Taylor has plenty of songs, dance, laughter and sumptuous costumes.
Nottingham Playhouse, Wellington Circus NG1 5AF, 0115 941 9419 www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk

4th December - 5th JanuaryGoldilocks and the Three Bears
Hiccup Theatre serve up a brand new version of this classic tale with bear-sized helpings of original live music, amazing puppetry and brilliant story telling.
The Studio, Derby Theatre, Theatre Walk, Derby DE1 2NF, 01332 593939 www.derbytheatre.co.uk

7th December - 6th January Peter Pan
This year’s show is written once more by Paul Hendy and promises to be every bit as entertaining as last year’s Mother Goose, winner of the Pantomime of the Year at the Great British Pantomime Awards. Peter Pan stars Shaun Williamson, Wendi Peters, Damian Williams and Cbeebies’ Gemma Hunt and Milkshake’s David Ribi.
The Lyceum, Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA, 0114 249 6000 www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

8th December - 5th JanuaryJack and the Beanstalk
The villagers of Dappy Darley on the Derwent are under threat from a ginormous giant! Poor young Jack has his head in the clouds, but when he sells his beloved cow Pat for just a handful of beans he begins a huge adventure which takes him to new heights.
Derby Arena, Royal Way, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8JB, 01332 640011 www.derbyarena.co.uk

8th December-30th DecemberDick Whittington
Dick Whittington makes his way down Ye Olde M1 with nothing but a sandwich and a can-do attitude, hoping to find fame and fortune in London. He’s out of luck until he meets a friendly cat with a knack for catching rats. Buxton’s favourite Dame, James Holmes, returns as Sarah the Cook, while Gabrielle Green is the lovely Alice Fitzwarren. With laugh out loud comedy and rat-catching drama, there’ll be plenty of time to shout and laugh at this production.
Buxton Opera House, Water St, Buxton SK17 6XN, 01298 72190 buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

14th December-6th JanuaryRobin Hood
Don’t miss the ultimate pantomime adventure starring TV presenter Jonathan Wilkes as Robin Hood and actor Christian Patterson as Friar Tuck. Join the heroic outlaw as arrow-shooting Robin strives to win the hand of the beautiful Maid Marion while he and his trusty band of Merry Men outwit the evil Sheriff of Nottingham in a show packed full of comedy, action and adventure
Regent Theatre, Piccadilly, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 1AP, 0844 871 7649 www.atgtickets.com

During the Christmas season many towns and villages throughout the Peak District mount inviting displays of Christmas lights. They include Castleton, Great Hucklow and Chapel-en-le-Frith, which feature spectacular displays of brightly-illuminated Christmas trees, creating a fabulous three-centre 'festival of trees' that seems particularly fitting for an area that once was at the heart of the Royal Forest of the Peak.